Prince Harry is “very grateful” for his father Charles, Prince of Wales stepping in to walk his bride Meghan, Duchess of Sussex down the aisle at their wedding in May.

The former Suits actress was due to be walked down the aisle at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, England, by her own father Thomas Markle, but he was forced to skip the royal wedding after undergoing emergency heart surgery.

Harry’s father Prince Charles agreed to step in as a replacement, and millions of viewers watched on as they made their way to the altar together, with Harry turning and saying, “Thank you Pa” when they reached him.

Speaking about the decision in a documentary to mark Charles’ 70th birthday, Harry recalled, “I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming and he immediately said, ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs, and I’m here to support you.’’

“For him that’s a fantastic opportunity to step up and be that support, and you know he’s our father so of course he’s going to be there for us. I was very grateful for him to be able to do that.”

Meghan confirmed Charles would walk her down the aisle in a special Kensington Palace statement the day before her wedding, and a day after she confirmed Thomas, who had came under fire for staging paparazzi photos, would not be attending as he was not well enough to travel from Mexico to England.

“Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health,” the statement read. “I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support.”

The documentary, titled Prince, Son and Heir — Charles at 70, airs in the U.K. on Thursday night, ahead of the royal’s 70th birthday on Nov. 14.

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